Question

What will happen when we observe a Rheo Leaf (a) in plain water (b) in a strong solution of salt (c) boiled for few minutes and then kept in a strong solution of salt?

Answer 1

The following are the observations made on the Rheo leaf cells: (observation of cells under a microscope):

1) In plain water:
Plain water is hypotonic to the cytoplasm of the rheo cells,hence water molecules will move into the cells of the rheo leaf through the process of endosmosis. This will make the cells of the rheo leaf to appear turgid under the microscope.
2)In a strong solution of salt:
The strong salt solution is hypertonic to the cytoplasm of the rheo cells, hence will draw water from the cells through the process of exosmosis. This will cause the protoplast of the cells to contract and appear wrinkled  (plasmolysed).
3)Boiled for few minutes and then kept in a strong salt solution.
After boiling the leaf, the cells will become denatured and most will die. This will cause the cells to remain the same way they are even after being kept in the strong salt solution because no osmosis(exosmosis) will occur. There will be no change in the shape of the cells.